13-Nights Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water - Explorations – Small Group from $8,399

Itinerary Details

Day 1 Overnight Flight
You’re on your way to southern Africa, where your search for wildlife will take you from grasslands and dry woodlands to rivers and lakes.

Day 2 Johannesburg, South Africa
Welcome to Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city! This afternoon, transfer to your hotel for the evening and enjoy a relaxing evening before your adventure in search of the "Big 5" begins tomorrow. Dinner tonight is on your own.

Day 3 Johannesburg - Victoria Falls, ZW - Chobe National Park, Botswana
This morning, board a plane for a short flight to Victoria Falls,* where you will meet your Tour Manager before continuing to your lodge for the next 3 nights in Botswana. Enjoy some time at leisure at the lodge before gathering with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.(B, D)

Day 4 Chobe National Park
Rise early with the sounds of the local wildlife ahead of your first game drive in Chobe National Park, an excellent location to search for elephants and buffalo. You and your fellow travelers will ride in open-air vehicles with a local expert who will be able to tell you all about the creatures you’ll see along the way. Later in the morning, enjoy some free time. After lunch at the lodge, board your private boat and take to the waters of the Chobe River in search of hippos and aquatic birds while sipping on cool beverages.(B, L, D)

Day 5 Chobe National Park
Start your day early with a private game cruise on the Chobe River and see the animals visiting the water first thing in the morning. After your search, return to the lodge for some free time, perhaps relaxing by the pool or stopping by the spa. After lunch this afternoon, enjoy a game drive in Chobe National Park, where you may spot giraffes, hyenas, or zebras. Later, enjoy a dinner cruise along the gentle waters of the Chobe River during an exclusive boat ride with your fellow travelers.(B, L, D)

Day 6 Chobe National Park - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - Hwange National Park
Enjoy a leisurely final morning in Chobe National Park. After breakfast, take a 90-minute drive to Victoria Falls, where we will stop for lunch. Savor fresh, local ingredients while you look over the gorge to the Zambezi River below. Next, it’s off to Hwange National Park, the largest national park in Zimbabwe, for a late afternoon game drive. This national park is home to over 100 types of mammals and 400 bird species, giving you the chance to look out for cheetahs, lions, giraffes, and so much more.(B, L, D)

Day 7 Hwange National Park
Today is another day to rise early in search of the "Big 5". After breakfast, spend a full day on a game drive in Hwange National Park. By enjoying a picnic lunch break, you can venture deep into the bushland and maximize your chances of spotting buffalo, elephants, and other animals gathering in the park. Return to the lodge for dinner. You’ll savor your meal and the memories of the day’s extensive safari.(B, L, D)

Day 8 Hwange National Park
This morning, search for the "Big 5" your way, because it’s your choice! Return to an open-air vehicle and enjoy a morning game drive -OR- join an expert national park guide on a game walk, giving you the rare opportunity to search for wildlife up close, including seeing some plants, insects, and reptiles you may not spot otherwise. After, return to the lodge and relax over lunch. This afternoon, you will be returning to the park for another glimpse into the animal kingdom.(B, L, D)

Day 9 Hwange National Park - Victoria Falls - Lake Kariba
Enjoy a final morning in the park before driving to Lake Kariba, the world’s largest artificial lake. Board your private safari boat which will be your home for the next 3 nights. With limited access to technology, revel in the experience of floating along the still waters, seeing breathtaking sunsets, and searching for local wildlife in the water.(B, L, D)

Day 10 Lake Kariba
This morning, trade the water for land on a wilderness drive through the bush. Arrive at a local chief’s village, where you meet his family and gain insight into daily life and traditions in the community, before returning to the safari boat for lunch. Later, watch the red and orange tones of the setting sun spread across Lake Kariba during a sunset nature cruise.(B, L, D)

Day 11 Lake Kariba
This morning, travel in a small tender boat and visit a remote fishing community. Return to the boat for lunch. After arriving at the Gwai River Mouth, disembark and take a nature walk through the bush. This evening, stargazing coupled with a delicious meal will be a dining experience you won’t soon forget.(B, L, D)

Day 12 Lake Kariba - Victoria Falls
Your safari boat experience will come to a close this morning as you drive back to Victoria Falls. Upon arriving at the Ilala Lodge, enjoy lunch. Then, grab your poncho because this afternoon you will visit the exhilarating natural wonder of Victoria Falls! At 5600 feet wide and 354 feet tall, this waterfall is one of the world’s largest.(B, L)

Day 13 Victoria Falls
This morning, start your day with a visit to Chinotimba township. Visit a local market, where you can barter for goods and experience daily life. After, you will visit the modest home of a local family for lunch. Your host will prepare an authentic, simple meal with you and share what life is like around Victoria Falls. Following your home visit, return to the hotel for an evening at leisure. Perhaps you will join an optional tour taking a relaxing cruise on the Zambezi River, a body of water that separates Zimbabwe and Zambia, whose banks are frequented by the local animals.(B, L)

Day 14 Victoria Falls
Your last full day on tour will bring you to view elephants at a local sanctuary. Hear stories from these gentle giants’ caretakers and learn about the efforts to understand, care for, and protect these intelligent and inspiring creatures. Continue learning about animal conservation and care with a visit to the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust for an Impact Moment. The staff at the VFWT will review some of the incredible work they do, ranging from wildlife rehabilitation to community outreach and disease research. You will have the afternoon free to do as you wish. This evening, you will join your fellow travelers for a 3-course farewell dinner under the stars on the bank of the Zambezi River.**(B, D)

Day 15 Victoria Falls - Johannesburg, South Africa - Tour Ends
Say goodbye to your safari companions as you take a flight from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg, where you will board your return flight home.(B)

Day 1 Overnight Flight
You’re on your way to southern Africa, where your search for wildlife will take you from grasslands and dry woodlands to rivers and lakes.

Day 2 Johannesburg, South Africa
Welcome to Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city! This afternoon, transfer to your hotel for the evening and enjoy a relaxing evening before your adventure in search of the "Big 5" begins tomorrow. Dinner tonight is on your own.

Day 3 Johannesburg - Victoria Falls, ZW - Chobe National Park, Botswana
This morning, board a plane for a short flight to Victoria Falls,* where you will meet your Tour Manager before continuing to your lodge for the next 3 nights in Botswana. Enjoy some time at leisure at the lodge before gathering with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.(B, D)

Day 4 Chobe National Park
Rise early with the sounds of the local wildlife ahead of your first game drive in Chobe National Park, an excellent location to search for elephants and buffalo. You and your fellow travelers will ride in open-air vehicles with a local expert who will be able to tell you all about the creatures you’ll see along the way. Later in the morning, enjoy some free time. After lunch at the lodge, board your private boat and take to the waters of the Chobe River in search of hippos and aquatic birds while sipping on cool beverages.(B, L, D)

Day 5 Chobe National Park
Start your day early with a private game cruise on the Chobe River and see the animals visiting the water first thing in the morning. After your search, return to the lodge for some free time, perhaps relaxing by the pool or stopping by the spa. After lunch this afternoon, enjoy a game drive in Chobe National Park, where you may spot giraffes, hyenas, or zebras. Later, enjoy a dinner cruise along the gentle waters of the Chobe River during an exclusive boat ride with your fellow travelers.(B, L, D)

Day 6 Chobe National Park - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - Hwange National Park
Enjoy a leisurely final morning in Chobe National Park. After breakfast, take a 90-minute drive to Victoria Falls, where we will stop for lunch. Savor fresh, local ingredients while you look over the gorge to the Zambezi River below. Next, it’s off to Hwange National Park, the largest national park in Zimbabwe, for a late afternoon game drive. This national park is home to over 100 types of mammals and 400 bird species, giving you the chance to look out for cheetahs, lions, giraffes, and so much more.(B, L, D)

Day 7 Hwange National Park
Today is another day to rise early in search of the "Big 5". After breakfast, spend a full day on a game drive in Hwange National Park. By enjoying a picnic lunch break, you can venture deep into the bushland and maximize your chances of spotting buffalo, elephants, and other animals gathering in the park. Return to the lodge for dinner. You’ll savor your meal and the memories of the day’s extensive safari.(B, L, D)

Day 8 Hwange National Park
This morning, search for the "Big 5" your way, because it’s your choice! Return to an open-air vehicle and enjoy a morning game drive -OR- join an expert national park guide on a game walk, giving you the rare opportunity to search for wildlife up close, including seeing some plants, insects, and reptiles you may not spot otherwise. After, return to the lodge and relax over lunch. This afternoon, you will be returning to the park for another glimpse into the animal kingdom.(B, L, D)

Day 9 Hwange National Park - Victoria Falls - Lake Kariba
Enjoy a final morning in the park before driving to Lake Kariba, the world’s largest artificial lake. Board your private safari boat which will be your home for the next 3 nights. With limited access to technology, revel in the experience of floating along the still waters, seeing breathtaking sunsets, and searching for local wildlife in the water.(B, L, D)

Day 10 Lake Kariba
This morning, trade the water for land on a wilderness drive through the bush. Arrive at a local chief’s village, where you meet his family and gain insight into daily life and traditions in the community, before returning to the safari boat for lunch. Later, watch the red and orange tones of the setting sun spread across Lake Kariba during a sunset nature cruise.(B, L, D)

Day 11 Lake Kariba
This morning, travel in a small tender boat and visit a remote fishing community. Return to the boat for lunch. After arriving at the Gwai River Mouth, disembark and take a nature walk through the bush. This evening, stargazing coupled with a delicious meal will be a dining experience you won’t soon forget.(B, L, D)

Day 12 Lake Kariba - Victoria Falls
Your safari boat experience will come to a close this morning as you drive back to Victoria Falls. Upon arriving at the Ilala Lodge, enjoy lunch. Then, grab your poncho because this afternoon you will visit the exhilarating natural wonder of Victoria Falls! At 5600 feet wide and 354 feet tall, this waterfall is one of the world’s largest.(B, L)

Day 13 Victoria Falls
This morning, start your day with a visit to Chinotimba township. Visit a local market, where you can barter for goods and experience daily life. After, you will visit the modest home of a local family for lunch. Your host will prepare an authentic, simple meal with you and share what life is like around Victoria Falls. Following your home visit, return to the hotel for an evening at leisure. Perhaps you will join an optional tour taking a relaxing cruise on the Zambezi River, a body of water that separates Zimbabwe and Zambia, whose banks are frequented by the local animals.(B, L)

Day 14 Victoria Falls
Your last full day on tour will bring you to view elephants at a local sanctuary. Hear stories from these gentle giants’ caretakers and learn about the efforts to understand, care for, and protect these intelligent and inspiring creatures. Continue learning about animal conservation and care with a visit to the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust for an Impact Moment. The staff at the VFWT will review some of the incredible work they do, ranging from wildlife rehabilitation to community outreach and disease research. You will have the afternoon free to do as you wish. This evening, you will join your fellow travelers for a 3-course farewell dinner under the stars on the bank of the Zambezi River.**(B, D)

Day 15 Victoria Falls - Johannesburg, South Africa - Tour Ends
Say goodbye to your safari companions as you take a flight from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg, where you will board your return flight home.(B)